Tribute to railroad

The 32nd annual Depot Days festival hits the streets of downtown Hartselle September 15, 2012. The annual tribute to the railroad industry and its contribution to Hartselle and the North Alabama region offers a day of live music, a car, truck and motorcycle show, 5K & 1-mile fun run, craft show, karaoke contest, children’s art show, children’s rides and games, Antique Tractor & Gasoline Engine Show, food and an assortment of vendors. Admission is free.

Festivities get underway at 8 a.m. and last all day until the music stops. Live music featuring up and coming local talent runs all day and a variety of craft vendors have their wares on display throughout the downtown area. The car, truck and motorcycle show gets underway as early as 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the First United Methodist Church located on Hickory Street.

For the children, there are a variety of activities and games all day long. All artwork submitted for the Youth Art Contest will be on display at Slate Gallery and Framing. The Decatur Alabama Kennel Club will be providing agility, rally, flyball and meet the breeds demonstrations in E.A.R.T.H. Park from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Many of the specialty and antique shops located in the historic buildings downtown are open for business throughout the festival. Several of these buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Additional activities are also scheduled in the week leading up to Depot Days include the Miss Depot Days Pageant, a community worship service at First United Methodist Church, displays and demonstration by the Hartselle Historical Society, and musical productions by the Hartselle Fine Arts Center and the Hartselle High School Choral Department.

For more information on Depot Days, call the Hartselle Area Chamber of Commerce at 256.773.4370.